Exactly one year ago today, I remember walking down the aisle at a beautiful garden surrounded with the people we love. It was quite a gloomy day and the rain had just stopped pouring. I remember waiting inside the bridal car alone wondering what’s happening at the venue because there was some kind of a delay for a few minutes. I also remember not stressing about it, which was surprising for a bride who went through so much months and days before the wedding. I remember praying that however the wedding goes, I will stay happy. And so I did.

A couple of days ago, I rewatched our wedding videos and browsed the photos. I was smiling alone because I saw myself looking very happy on that day. It only goes to show that I married the right one. I have attended countless weddings and I don’t understand why 99% of the brides never smile during the march. They may be feeling nervous and holding back their tears to not ruin their makeup, can’t blame them for those reasons but I did not want to look any of those brides. I remember just smiling and waiving at the guests while I marched. I was just too excited to see my groom and when I did, my heart just melted. I couldn’t wait to be officially married.

Earlier this year, my husband and I talked about where to spend our long-overdue honeymoon but we didn’t get the chance to. We got too busy with work and moving in and out from one place to another due to so many reasons. Then we found out we were expecting 7 months after the wedding. We then decided to just celebrate our first wedding anniversary abroad. We initially planned to go to South Korea, Japan, or France but guess what, we have been blessed to be given the opportunity to migrate here in the Netherlands just a few weeks ago. So now, we’re in Europe and we’ll celebrate our anniversary in another country this weekend. Can you even imagine my excitement? Of course I have already prepared my outfits two days ago.

It is Sunday and I am all alone in the house. Reminds me of my weekends about ten years ago when I preferred staying at home, folding my clothes, creating some artworks, and blogging through my old crappy laptop. I really don’t like noisy environment where I couldn’t hear the movie I’m watching. It annoys me. The night shift work really suits me well because I can focus more when the silence is deafening.

My husband has left this afternoon to run some errands. I was supposed to come with him but I woke up tired and I didn’t really feel like going out today. I think I need another massage. Just about a few days ago, we went to a spa and treated ourselves for a long-overdue whole body massage. It was so good that I just wanted to fall asleep there. Also, we had a spontaneous date on Sunday evening after dinner. Went to one of our fave cafés and ordered something unusual. It was the only café opened in the area because it was already past ten in the evening. It was unwinding even if we only stayed for a couple of minutes.

Last month at around third week of November, I flew to Manila alone for a couple of days and spent some time with my workmates who I haven’t seen in a while. Then I slept over at my friend’s/workmates’s for two nights. It was a little far from the city so it was like road-tripping for a bit. But my husband-free days didn’t end there. I went to another town to visit my cousins and spent hours and hours talking about beauty tips and skincare routine.

It was when I went back to our condo that I realized I needed that vacation with people other than my family and husband. Before we got married, I asked AJ to not see me for a month because I wanted to spend some me-time, but it didn’t happen because three months before our wedding was the busiest days of our life. It was almost impossible to chill and take a break for a day.

I am so used to living independently that I missed it when I lived with AJ during the pandemic because we see each other 24/7, even more when we got married. Not that I don’t like being with him all the time, but there are days when I just want to be alone or spend some time with my family or friends and I’m glad my husband has no issues with that. I allow him to do the same, too.

Now it’s past 6 PM and I have to prepare for dinner. I thawed the bacon and will cook rice after I post this blog. Ok bye for now. The husband is home.

And just like that, we’re capping off 2020 in a few hours.

It has been more than a year since I moved in here in the capital city and I tell you, there are so many changes in my life.

You know, when I started writing, I never really expected someone to read my stories. I don’t have a lot  of friends to talk to, so maybe that is why I pour all of my thoughts into written words. I keep a blog because I want to look back on my stories one day and reminisce what I’ve been through, then laugh it off.

Anyway, I got another breaking news. I have a new job now. I left my previous company due to circumstances I don’t want to share yet. Whenever someone asks me how’s my current job, I always say that I am happy, associated with a genuine smile. I really am. I felt like I found myself again. I can joke around with my colleagues, I eat with them, I share my personal stories, I can be myself with them. Those are just the few things I missed. And can I just say that my boss is one of the best? I mean, I couldn’t point out a single thing to complain about him. I’m not even kidding.

At first, I was so hesitant to push through my application for this job because I will be working on a night shift. Little did I know, it suits my lifestyle perfectly because I have insomnia for about 3 years now. Thank God for that one friend of mine who forced me to just try to apply for this job. No regrets. Can’t sleep at night? Might as well get paid for it.

So, I am now an addition to the population of commuters. I take two rides back and forth. I have learned to memorize the bus routes and where to hail a jeepney. Most of the time, I run to catch the bus only to miss it in a couple of seconds. I have mastered the art of balancing when I don’t get to sit in the bus and have nowhere and no one to hold. I can manage to watch KDrama just standing or leaning onto the vertical handrail. Sometimes, someone would offer me a seat which made me believe that chivalry’s not dead, just yet. On some days, I would look at the people’s outfits and give them a free makeover in my imagination. When I don’t feel like observing the people around me, I watch the KDrama someone sitting beside me is watching. Or I peek at a teenager’s phone while she stalks someone on Twitter. The things I do to keep me entertained for the whole trip.

I used to hate mornings but now I enjoy my early morning walks. The birds chipping and the cold breeze that blows my hair remind me that I am almost home and that life is good.

It is now five in the morning. I am wide awake and in my pyjamas and hoodie. My stomach is growling though I’ve had my dinner at 12 midnight. I’m gonna wrap up this post now and maybe read a book to help me fall asleep. But most probably it will only keep me up. We’ll see.